Disaster Recovery Plans: A Must for Every Business 

Unexpected disruptions are no longer rare events. Cyber incidents, system failures, power outages and natural disasters can impact businesses of all sizes, often with little warning. For many organisations, even a short period of downtime can result in lost revenue, reputational damage and ongoing operational challenges. 

A disaster recovery plan provides a structured approach to restoring systems, data and business operations after an incident. Rather than reacting under pressure, businesses with a clear plan in place can respond quickly, minimise downtime and maintain continuity. This guide outlines the essential elements of an effective disaster recovery plan and why it is a critical component of modern business resilience. 

1. What Is a Disaster Recovery Plan? 

A disaster recovery plan (DRP) focuses on how a business restores its IT systems and data following a disruptive event. It differs from general risk management by providing specific steps, responsibilities and recovery targets designed to bring systems back online as quickly as possible. 

Disaster recovery planning commonly addresses scenarios such as: 

• Cyberattacks, including ransomware and data breaches 

• Hardware or infrastructure failure 

• Internet or power outages 

• Natural disasters and severe weather events 

• Accidental data deletion or system misconfiguration 

While not all incidents can be prevented, their impact can be significantly reduced through preparation. 

2. Identifying Critical Systems and Data 

An effective disaster recovery plan begins with understanding which systems are essential to daily operations. These may include: 

• Accounting and financial systems 

• Payroll and HR platforms 

• Customer relationship management (CRM) systems 

• Email, file storage and collaboration tools 

Not all systems carry the same level of urgency. Identifying and prioritising critical systems allows businesses to focus recovery efforts where they matter most and avoid unnecessary delays during an incident. 

3. Defining Recovery Objectives 

Clear recovery objectives ensure expectations are realistic and aligned with business needs. Two key measures guide disaster recovery planning: 

• Recovery Time Objective (RTO): the maximum acceptable time systems can be offline 

• Recovery Point Objective (RPO): the maximum acceptable amount of data loss 

For example, payroll or financial systems may require rapid restoration with minimal data loss, while less critical systems may allow for longer recovery timeframes. 

4. Backup and Recovery Solutions 

Disaster recovery relies heavily on reliable backup systems. Best practice backup strategies include: 

• Automated and regular backups 

• Secure offsite or cloud-based storage 

• Encryption to protect sensitive information 

• Multiple restore points to reduce risk from corruption or ransomware 

Backups should be tested regularly to ensure data can be restored efficiently when required. 

5. Assigning Roles and Responsibilities 

During an incident, uncertainty can slow recovery. A well-documented disaster recovery plan clearly defines: 

• Who initiates the recovery process 

• Who communicates with staff, clients and suppliers 

• Who manages technical recovery and vendor coordination 

Clear ownership reduces confusion and ensures recovery actions begin immediately. 

6. Testing and Reviewing the Plan 

A disaster recovery plan should be treated as a living document. Businesses should: 

• Test recovery processes regularly 

• Update plans after system changes or business growth 

• Review access credentials and contact details 

Testing helps uncover weaknesses before a real incident occurs and ensures teams are confident in their response. 

PREPARING FOR THE UNEXPECTED STARTS NOW 

If your business would struggle to operate during a system outage, cyber incident or unexpected disruption, now is the time to review your disaster recovery readiness. Resilience isn’t built during a crisis — it’s built beforehand through clear planning, tested systems and reliable recovery processes. 

NetEffects supports businesses across South East Queensland by strengthening their IT environments, protecting critical data and helping them recover quickly from unexpected events. Our disaster recovery solutions are practical, scalable and aligned with each business’s operational needs. 

To review your disaster recovery strategy or improve your business continuity capabilities, get in touch with the NetEffects team.